Traffic Rules Violations

Yesterday's news - 17 Nov 2011 : Traffic-E-Challan’, the new system for motorists to remit fines through banks for violation of traffic rules, was inaugurated on 17 November, at Sree Moolam Club Hall by the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The State Bank of Travancore (SBT) and the Kerala Police Department joined hands to introduce the system.

It reminded me of 2 incidents I had - one - a month back and other a recent one.

Scene 1- A month back -  It was a  Tuesday . I was so caught up with loads and loads of work in office  that I could leave the office at 9.45 PM only. I was so tired and some how wanted to reach home. It must have been around 10.10 PM when I reached one of the traffic junctions near the city, took a left turn and entered the road to my residence . As soon as I turned my car ,one traffic police officer stopped my vehicle. I pulled over the vehicle to the left side of the road . I could see the vehicle of  the traffic police parked near by and three traffic cops were also standing there. I lowered the window and looked at the traffic police.
The police came towards me with an instrument which had a small red light.  He apologised as soon as he saw me and allowed me to leave. I was wondering why he stopped me. By the time , the other police men stopped one motor bike fellow and they asked him to blow into their instrument. Then only I could understand that they were trying to catch hold of drunken drivers. I smiled , started my vehicle and drove back home. I felt that they should have asked me also to blow in to the instrument.They need not have apologised. Law is applicable for both male and female.Who knows, there could be ladies too who drink and drive though may not be very common in Kerala.

Scene 2 - It was a Saturday. Time was around 12 noon. I was on my way to a bank in the city. As soon as I crossed the bridge in the city , one traffic police stopped my vehicle. I pulled over and lowered the window . He came near my vehicle and told me , "Madam , dont you know that you should not use your mobile phone while driving ? "

I was surprised , " Sir , I did not use the mobile". I thought that he was mistaken some how.
He continued, "You used your mobile".
I again said , "Sir , you are mistaken. I have not used it.
He said , " Yes , you have used it. Have you noticed the camera there ? Everything gets recorded there".
I was wondering where my mobile was and finally could locate it under the music system.
I told him ,"Sir , if you dont believe me , please check the mobile for any calls and extended my phone to him". He refused to check it.
By the time , my patience had reached its limit.
My voice level raised , "How can you accuse me of using mobile when I have not used it. You are refusing to check my phone too.  Please show  me where in your camera me using mobile has got recorded.I will definitely complain about this ." I looked at his shirt to read his name.
He was very stubborn. He leaned forward , "Yes Madam , please note my name".
The argument went on for another 2 minutes and finally he asked me to leave.

I was wondering how traffic police can simply raise such allegations  ?

I reached home and narrated the whole incident to my son.

He was telling me ," Amma , you should have told him that the traffic camera has recorded the scene of a traffic police trying to cheat the public."

I dont know whether such incidents are common and how many people had similar experiences.
With e-challans in place , probably things would improve.